Lamp With Means For Controlling Air And Fuel Near The Flame

ABSTRACT

A lamp includes a fuel reservoir, a hollow wick, and an air channel. The fuel reservoir is configured to hold a volume of fuel. The hollow wick is configured to wick the fuel from the fuel reservoir to the atmosphere such that a flame is produced when the wick is ignited. The air channel is configured to supply air from outside of the fuel reservoir to a base of the flame. The air channel extends through the hollow wick and is at least partially graduated so that the flow of air through the air channel is substantially laminar.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to co-pending U.S. provisionalapplication entitled “Cylindrical Wick Lamp,” which has Ser. No.60/836,836 and was filed Aug. 10, 2006, and which is entirelyincorporated herein by reference.

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. utilityapplication entitled “Apparatus for Controlling a Flame,” which has Ser.No. 10/890,342 and was filed Jul. 13, 2004, and which is entirelyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

A lamp is an apparatus that produces light. One type of lamp includes awick and a fuel source. The wick communicates fuel from the fuel sourceto an end of the wick that is exposed to the atmosphere. Igniting theexposed end of the wick initiates the chemical process of combustion,producing a flame. In turn, the flame produces light through the processof incandescence.

During combustion, the fuel reacts with oxygen in the air to produce theflame. In cases in which the combustion of the fuel is incomplete,disadvantages may result. For example, unburned fuel produces smokeparticles that irritates the eyes or fuel vapors that smell foul. Somesmoke particles contain toxins such as acetone and benzene, which areby-products of the incomplete combustion process. Incomplete combustionmay also create a flame that is not uniform in color and luminosity. Forexample, the flame may have a bright area at a top of the flame and adark area at a base of the flame.

Although complete combustion is virtually impossible, imperfection inthe combustion process can be reduced by controlling the air and fuel inthe vicinity of the flame. For example, some existing lamps provide ashield around the flame to protect the flame from air drafts, whichcause fuel particles to escape from the vicinity of the flame beforebeing burned. However, such shields also reduce the volume of fresh airthat reaches the flame, and as a result the fresh air supply may beinadequate to combust the fuel that is present in the flame vicinity.From the above description, a need exists in the industry for a lampthat solves these and other problems.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a lamp includes a fuel reservoir, a hollow wick, andan air channel. The fuel reservoir is configured to hold a volume offuel. The hollow wick is configured to wick the fuel from the fuelreservoir to the atmosphere such that a flame is produced when the wickis ignited. The air channel is configured to supply air from outside ofthe fuel reservoir to a base of the flame. The air channel extendsthrough the hollow wick and is at least partially graduated so that theflow of air through the air channel is substantially laminar.

In one embodiment, a lamp includes a fuel reservoir and a hollow wick.The fuel reservoir is configured to hold a volume of fuel. The hollowwick is configured to wick the fuel from the fuel reservoir to theatmosphere, such that a flame is produced when the wick is ignited. Thelamp also includes means for controlling the flow of fuel and air in thevicinity of the flame, such that an adequate supply of fuel and air isavailable for combustion and the wind does not diminish or extinguishthe flame.

Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages of thedisclosed lamp will be apparent or will become apparent to one withskill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detaileddescription. All such additional systems, devices, methods, features,and advantages are intended to be included within the description andare intended to be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present disclosure may be better understood with reference to thefollowing figures. Matching reference numerals designate correspondingparts throughout the figures, and components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lamp that includesmeans for controlling the flow of fuel and air in the vicinity of theflame.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the lamp of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an elevating mechanismthat can be coupled to the lamp shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the elevating mechanism of FIG. 3, takenalong lines 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a smoke-encapsulatingapparatus that can be coupled to the lamp shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the smoke-encapsulating apparatus of FIG.5, taken along line 6-6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lamp 100, and FIG. 2is a sectional view of the lamp taken along line 2-2. The lamp 100includes a fuel reservoir 102, a hollow wick 104, and an air channel106. The fuel reservoir 102 is configured to hold a volume of fuel 103.The hollow wick 104 is configured to wick the fuel 103 from a lower end110 to an upper end 112 of the wick, the lower end being positioned inthe fuel reservoir 102 and the upper end being exposed to theatmosphere. The air channel 106 is configured to supply air 105 from theatmosphere on the outside of the fuel reservoir 102 through an interiorof the wick 104 to an upper end 112 of the wick. The air channel 106extends through the interior of the hollow wick 104 and the fuelreservoir 102 substantially surrounds a portion of an exterior of thewick, such that the wick is concentrically aligned with the air channeland the fuel reservoir. When the upper end 112 of the wick 104 isignited, the fuel 103 burns to produce a flame 199. The wick 104 and theair channel 106 feed the flame 199 with fuel 103 and air 105,respectively, so that the flame is sustained. The air channel 106 is oneof several means for controlling the flow of air 105 and fuel 103 in thevicinity of the flame 199, as described below.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fuel reservoir 102 includes a fuel-retainingmember 116 and a reservoir-enclosing member 118. The fuel-retainingmember 116 defines a cavity 120 for retaining the fuel 103. Thereservoir-enclosing member 118 defines a cover for enclosing the cavity120. The reservoir-enclosing member 118 removably engages thefuel-retaining member 116 so that the fuel-retaining member can beselectively opened and closed. When the reservoir-enclosing member 118engages the fuel-retaining member, the cavity is substantially enclosedto prevent the fuel from escaping. When the reservoir-enclosing member118 disengages the fuel-retaining member 116, the cavity 120 isaccessible so that fuel 103 can be introduced into the cavity.

The fuel reservoir 102 is formed from a plurality of walls 122. In theillustrated embodiment, the walls 122 includes a lower wall 122 a, anouter side wall 122 b, an inner side wall 122 c, and an upper wall 122d. The lower and side walls 122 a-c form the cavity 120 of thefuel-retaining member 116, with the inner side wall 122 c also formingthe boundary of the air channel 106. The upper wall 122 d forms thereservoir-enclosing member 118. In the illustrated embodiment, the upperwall 122 d forms an inner flange 138 that defines a neck 140 of thereservoir-enclosing member 118, although in some embodiments the innerflange is omitted such that the reservoir-enclosing member does not formthe neck.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fuel reservoir 102 is substantiallycylindrical. The lower wall 122 a is substantially a planar, annulardisk. The outer side wall 122 b is a cylindrical ring coupled to anouter perimeter of the lower wall 122 a at a right angle. The inner sidewall 122 c is coupled to an inner perimeter of the lower wall 122 a andhas an inward taper 130, as described below. The upper wall 122 d issubstantially a planar, annular disk. An outer flange 136 is coupled toan outer perimeter of the upper wall 122 d and the inner flange 138 iscoupled to the inner perimeter of the upper wall. In other embodiments,the fuel reservoir 102 may not be substantially cylindrical, in whichcase the walls 122 of the fuel reservoir may have other shapes and/orgreater or fewer walls can be provided.

A coupling mechanism 124 enables removable engagement between thefuel-retaining member 116 and the reservoir-enclosing member 118. In theillustrated embodiment, the coupling mechanism 124 is a series ofthreads on the fuel-retaining member 116 and the reservoir-enclosingmember 118. More specifically, the threads are formed on an interiorsurface of the outer side wall 122 b and on an exterior surface of theouter flange 136 of the upper wall 122 d, such that the two pieces canbe screwed together or apart. In other embodiments, the couplingmechanism 124 can have other configurations, such as a snap fitting or afriction fitting, in which case the threads and/or the outer flange 136may be omitted. In still other embodiments, the reservoir-enclosingmember 118 may not be removable, in which case the coupling mechanism124 may be omitted and a port may be provided on the lamp 100 forrefilling the cavity 120.

As mentioned above, the reservoir-enclosing member 118 defines the neck140 that projects away from the cavity 120. The neck 140 is configuredto support an adjustable collar 178, which is described in detail below.An adjustment mechanism 142 enables adjusting the adjustable collar 178with respect to the neck 140 between a lowered position in which theadjustable collar is relatively closer to the cavity 120 and a raisedposition in which the adjustable collar is relatively closer to theflame 199. In other embodiments, the adjustable collar 178 may not bemovable or may be omitted, in which cases the adjustment mechanism 142or the entire neck 140 may be omitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, a lip 144 is formed adjacent the innerflange 138 that is configured to substantially close a space between theinner flange and the wick 104, impeding the fuel 103 from escaping fromthe fuel reservoir 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner flange138 is substantially a cylinder that is coupled to the upper wall 122 dat a right angle, and the lip 144 is substantially an annular ringcoupled to an interior perimeter of the inner flange extending towardthe wick 104. In other embodiments, the neck 140 may have otherconfigurations or may be omitted, in which cases the inner flange 138and the lip 144 may be shaped differently or may be omitted.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustment mechanism 142 is a seriesof threads on an exterior surface of the inner flange 138 and on aninterior surface of the adjustable collar 178. In such case, theadjustable collar 178 can be rotated to move the collar with respect tothe inner flange 138. In other embodiments, the adjustment mechanism 142may have other configurations. For example, the adjustment mechanism 142may employ ratchets, pins and sockets, or friction.

The hollow wick 104 is positioned adjacent an exterior surface of theinner side wall 122 c of the fuel reservoir 102, such that the wicksurrounds and is concentrically positioned with respect to the innerside wall. The upper end 112 of the wick 104 projects from a top of thefuel reservoir 102 adjacent the lip 144, while the lower end 110 of thewick is positioned in the fuel reservoir. For example, the lower end 110of the wick 104 may extend to substantially a bottom of the fuelreservoir 102 adjacent the lower wall 122 a so that the wick exhauststhe fuel 103 located at the bottom of the fuel reservoir 102. Thedimensions of the wick 104 are selected so that when the flame 199 isburning at the upper end 112, the hollow interior of the wick is not sowide that the formation of a single flame is inhibited. The shape of thewick 104 is selected such that the wick conforms to the shape of theinner side wall 122 c, which in turn is determined by the shape of theair channel 106, described below. The wick 104 may be made of anysuitable material, such as glass fiber or metal mesh, as long as thewick draws the fuel 103 from the fuel reservoir 102.

The fuel reservoir 102 may be formed from a variety of materials. Forexample, a metal or glass may be used. In some cases, the fuel reservoir102 may be formed from a non-conductive material such as glass toinhibit heat transfer from the flame 199 to the fuel reservoir.Otherwise, the fuel reservoir 102 and/or the wick 104 may become hot. Ifthe fuel reservoir 102 becomes hot, it may be dangerous to touch, or ifthe wick 104 becomes hot, the capillary action of the wick may supply anexcessive volume of fuel 103 to the upper end 112 of the wick. In othercases, different walls 122 of the fuel reservoir 102 may be formed fromdifferent materials.

A variety of fuels 103 are suitable, including liquid fuels such asalcohol, liquid paraffin, mineral oil, and citronella oil. The fuel 103can be selected to produce a flame 199 having certain characteristics.One characteristic that varies with the type of fuel 103 is the color ofthe flame 199. For example, liquid paraffin produces a yellow flame,citronella oil produces a pink flame, oil blended with copper saltsproduces a green or blue flame, and oil blended with lithium saltsproduces a red flame. In some cases, a relatively heavy liquid fuel 103can be used, such as vegetable oil or plant oil, because such fuels maybe less likely to form fuel vapor, which may have an unpleasant odor.

The lamp 100 includes several means for controlling fuel 103 and air 105in the vicinity of the flame 199. As mentioned above, combustionrequires a combination of fuel 103 and oxygen, the oxygen being at anadequately warmed temperature. The fuel 103 is provided to the flame 199by the wick 104 and the oxygen is provided to the flame by the air 105in the vicinity of the flame 199. As the flame 199 burns, the fuel 103is combusted and a replacement supply of fuel is provided by the wick104. If the flow of fuel 103 to the vicinity of the flame 199 isinsufficient, the flame may diminish or extinguish entirely. If the flowof fuel 103 is excessive, the fuel may escape the vicinity of the flame199 without being combusted. For example, the fuel 103 may escape in theform of smoke, fuel vapor or fuel droplets. The smoke may irritate theeyes, the fuel vapors may smell, and the fuel droplets may create ahazardous condition, all of which are undesirable. Also as the flame 199burns, the oxygen is exhausted from the air 105 in the vicinity of theflame, creating a pressure on the flame from all sides and creating alow-pressure locus at substantially the center of a base 196 of theflame. A flow of air 105 toward the flame 199 can sustain the supply ofoxygen available for the combustion process, and the air should beadequately warmed. If the flow of air 105 is insufficient, the supply ofoxygen may be insufficient for complete combustion, and fuel 103 mayescape the vicinity of the flame 199 without being combusted. If theflow of air 105 is excessive or turbulent, the flame 199 may bediminished or extinguished entirely, or the fuel 103 may be pushed awayfrom the vicinity of the flame without being combusted. All of these areundesirable.

The various means for controlling fuel 103 and air 105 in the vicinityof the flame 199 increase the flow of air toward the flame such that theflame has an adequate supply of oxygen, and the oxygen is adequatelywarmed. For example, the means supply air 105 to the flame 199 frombelow, increasing combustion at an interior of the flame so that theflame develops a strong, wind-resistant backbone. The means also controlthe flow of air 105 in the vicinity of the flame 199, such as byhindering wind and other air disturbances around the flame, such thatthe flame is not diminished or extinguished and fuel 103 is notdispersed from the vicinity of the flame without being combusted. Themeans also warm the air 105 so that the oxygen is adequately warmed. Themeans also control the flow of the fuel 103 such that the fuel isretained in the vicinity of the flame and is combusted, instead ofescaping in the form of smoke or fuel vapor. Therefore, the means, aloneor in combination, enable the production of a relatively larger,stronger, and more stable flame 199 that exhibits relatively improvedcombustion from a base to the top of the flame and from the interior tothe perimeter of the flame. Although all of the means are describedbelow with reference to the illustrated embodiment, a person of skillwould appreciate that the means may be used independently or in anycombination.

One such means for controlling fuel 103 and air 105 in the vicinity ofthe flame 199 is the air channel 106. As mentioned above, the airchannel 106 is configured to supply a flow of air 105 from outside ofthe fuel reservoir 102 to a base 196 of the flame 199. The air channel106 is at least partially graduated so that the flow of air 105 throughthe air channel is substantially laminar. An elevating mechanism 156elevates the fuel reservoir 102 off a surface and creates a path fromthe outside of the fuel reservoir along an underside of the lower wall122 a and into the air channel 106. As a result, a controlled volume ofair 105 is directed from outside of the fuel reservoir 102 toward theflame 199. In the illustrated embodiment, the elevating mechanism 156 isa plurality of feet coupled to the lower wall 122 a of the fuelreservoir 102, although the elevating mechanism can have any otherconfiguration, including configurations that suspend the fuel reservoirfrom above. For example, the elevating mechanism 156 may be theprojections described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,901 entitled “Apparatus forControlling Characteristics of a Flame”, which issued on Feb. 1, 2005 tothe Applicant of the present disclosure and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. Further, the elevating mechanism 156 may bethe outer side wall 122 b of the fuel reservoir 102. In such anembodiment, the lower wall 122 a is elevated above a lower edge of theouter side wall 122 b such that a gap or space is formed under the fuelreservoir. Air openings are formed in the portion of the outer side wall122 b between the lower wall 122 a and the lower edge, so that air 105can flow through the air openings and along the underside of the lowerwall into the air channel.

The air channel 106 does not have a substantial cross-sectional areadifferentiation between a bottom 158 of the air channel adjacent thelower wall 122 a and a top 160 of the air channel adjacent the upper end112 of the wick 104. In other words, the cross-sectional area 162 of theair channel 106 does not abruptly change between the bottom 158 and thetop 160 of the air channel 106. Instead, the cross-sectional area 162 ofthe air channel 106 either gradually changes or does not change.Specifically, the inner side wall 122 c that forms the boundary of theair channel 106 has the inward taper 130 along at least a portion of alength of air channel, such that the cross-sectional area 162 of the airchannel 106 gradually decreases or is substantially uniform over thelength of the air channel. As a result, the interior surface of theinner side wall 122 c is substantially free from sharp angles or roughedges. For example, the cross-sectional area 162 at the top 160 of theair channel 106 is smaller than the cross-sectional area 162 at thebottom 158 of the air channel.

In the illustrated embodiment, the air channel 106 continuously curvesinward between the bottom 158 of the air channel, where the inner sidewall 122 c is substantially horizontal, and the top 160 of the airchannel, where the inner side wall is substantially vertical. In otherembodiments, the inward taper 130 of the air channel 106 can have otherconfigurations. For example, the inward taper 130 may be linear from thebottom 158 to the top 160 of the air channel 106, such that thecross-sectional area 162 of the air channel uniformly decreases betweenthe bottom and the top of the air channel. As another example, only thelower portion of the air channel 106 may be tapered. In such a case, theair channel 106 may have the inward taper 130 between the bottom 158 ofthe air channel and an intermediate point between the bottom and the top160 of the air channel. At the intermediate point, the inward taper 130may disappear and the cross-sectional area 162 of the air channel 106may remain constant between the intermediate point and the top 160 ofthe air channel. In this and in other cases, the air channel 106 mayhave a turn 161 at which the cross-sectional area 162 of the air channel106 changes. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the air channel106 has a turn 161 at the bottom 158 of the air channel, where the lowerwall 122 a and the inner side wall 122 c meet. However, in cases inwhich the air channel 106 has a turn 161, the turn is graduated suchthat the cross-sectional area 162 of the air channel 106 graduallychanges around the turn, reducing the tendency for air 105 travelingaround the turn to become turbulent. For example, the turn 161 at thebottom 158 of the air channel 106 is rounded in FIG. 2 so that thecross-sectional area 162 of the air channel gradually changes around theturn. In still other embodiments, the air channel 106 may not have theinward taper 130, in which case the cross-sectional area 162 of the airchannel may be substantially uniform, except at the bottom 158 of theair channel where the turn 161 into the air channel is graduated, suchas rounded or tapered.

Because the interior surface of the air channel 106 is free from sharpcorners, edges, the air channel is configured such that turbulencewithin the air 105 flowing through the air channel is reduced. Reducingturbulence is desirable because turbulence decreases the volume andvelocity of air 105 reaching the flame 199. For example, turbulent flowmay pinch the air flow and may create a negative pressure within the airchannel 106, diverting air 105 out through the bottom 158 of the airchannel and decreasing the volume of air reaching the flame 199.Further, turbulent flow may decrease the velocity of the air 105traveling toward the flame 199. As mentioned above, providing asustained flow of air 105 to the base 196 of the flame 199 increasescombustion along a central backbone of the flame, improving the strengthof the flame. Because a sustained flow of air 105 is provided at anincreased velocity, the air channel 106 can have a relatively smallercross-sectional area 162 adjacent the base 196 of the flame 199,decreasing the width of the flame and increasing its strength.

Another means for controlling fuel 103 and air 105 in the vicinity ofthe flame 199 is a heat conductive element 163 positioned within the airchannel 106. The heat conductive element 163 is configured to increasethe temperature of the air 105 located in the air channel 106, reducingthe pressure of the air and increasing the flow of air into the airchannel. More specifically, the heat conductive element 163 receivesheat from the flame 199 and transfers heat to the air 105 in the airchannel 106. The transferred heat increases the temperature of the air105 and reduces the pressure of the air. As described below, the reducedpressure causes an increase in the flow of air 105 into the air channel106 toward the flame 199, and lowers the low-pressure locus of theflame. Additionally, the increased temperature of the air 105 alsoimproves the combustion in the flame 199, and reduces the pressure ofthe air in the flame.

The heat conductive element 163 may be a heat conductive rod 164, a heatconductive tube 166, or both. The heat conductive rod 164 extends fromthe top 160 of the air channel 106 in a downward direction D. The heatconductive rod 164 may be any suitable material, such as metal. Althougha heat conductive rod 164 having a substantially circular cross-sectionand positioned substantially in the center of the air channel 106 may beless likely to cause turbulence within the air channel and may enablemore even warming, the heat conductive rod 164 may be any suitable shapeand may be positioned anywhere in the air channel 106, so that anappropriate flow of air 105 through the air channel is produced.

The heat conductive tube 166 lines at least a portion of the interiorsurface of the air channel 106 and extends from the top 160 of the airchannel in the downward direction D. The heat conductive tube 166 can beany suitable heat conductive material, such as metal. In some cases, theheat conductive tube 166 is a single layer or multiple layers of heatconductive material. In other cases, a mesh material is used such thatair 105 can flow through the heat conductive tube 166 for furtherwarming. In still other cases, heat radiation fins extend from the heatconductive tube towards the center of the heat conductive tube, suchthat air 105 flowing through the heat conductive tube 166 is furtherwarmed.

The heat conductive elements 163 may vary depending on the material andshape of the air channel 106. For example, in cases in which the airchannel 106 has a relatively large cross-sectional area 162, both theheat conductive rod 164 and the heat conductive tube 166 may be used. Incases in which the air channel 106 has a relatively smallcross-sectional area 162, one of these heat conductive elements 163 maybe omitted. Further, a plurality of heat conductive rods 164 may beemployed in some cases, such as in cases in which the air channel 106has a relatively large cross-sectional area 162 or in cases in which theheat conductive tube 166 is omitted. For example, the heat conductivetube 166 may be omitted in cases in which the inner side wall 122c is aheat conductive material.

In any case, the heat conductive elements 163 are heated by the flame199 from the top 160 of the air channel 106 in the downward direction D.As a result, the air pressure increases in the downward direction D suchthat the air pressure at the top 160 of the air channel 106 isrelatively lower than the air pressure at the bottom 158 of the airchannel. The pressure differential between the top 160 and the bottom158 of the air channel 106 encourages the movement of air 105 along theair channel in an upward direction U, increasing the volume and thevelocity of the air 105 flowing toward the flame 199. In the illustratedembodiment, both the heat conductive rod 164 and the heat conductivetube 166 extend from the top 160 of the air channel 106 to substantiallythe bottom 158 of the air channel, but in other embodiments one or bothof the heat conductive elements 163 may not extend to the bottom of theair channel. Positioning the heat conductive element 163 at only the top160 of the air channel 106 may be desirable, so that the transferredheat increases the temperature of the air 105 at the top of the airchannel to create the pressure differential instead of increasing thetemperature of the air along the entire air channel.

The flow of air 105 supplies the flame 199 with the oxygen needed forcombustion. Because the flow of air 105 to the flame 199 is controlledand continuous, the flame is relatively less likely to diminish in sizeor extinguish. Further, because the flow of air 105 is supplied throughthe air channel 106, the flame 199 receives oxygen from the base 196where oxygen is normally absent, enabling more complete combustionwithin the interior of the flame. As a result, the flame 199 is strongerand is less susceptible to air disturbances such as wind. The lowerair-pressure at the top 160 of the air channel 106 also moves thelow-pressure locus of the flame 199 in the downward direction D, whichalso makes the flame 199 stronger and less susceptible to airdisturbances. Because the air 105 is warmed before reaching the flame199, the oxygen in the air is better suited for combustion, and thecombustion process is relatively more complete.

A layer of insulation 168 may line the inner side wall 122 c. The layerof insulation 168 maintains the heat that has been transferred to theair channel 106. In cases in which the inner side wall 122 c is madefrom a heat conductive material, the layer of insulation 168 may beprovided between the inner side wall and the heat conductive tube 166 sothat heat from the heat conductive tube 166 is not transferred throughthe inner side wall to the wick 104. Increasing the temperature of theinner side wall 122c and the wick 104 decreases the amount of energyavailable to warm the air 105 in the air channel 106, such that thedesired low pressure effect may not be created to the extent possible.Further, increasing the temperature the wick 104 may increase thecapillary action of the wick, such that a relatively larger volume offuel 103 is directed to the upper end 112 of the wick. In cases in whichthe larger volume of fuel 103 cannot be efficiently combusted, excessfuel may spill from the lamp 100 or may be converted into smoke or fuelvapor. The layer of insulation 168 is configured to address theseissues.

Another heat conductive element 163 is a permeable cover 170 adjacentthe base 196 of the flame 199. The permeable cover 170 is formed fromany suitable heat conductive material, such as metal, and is permeableso that air 105 can flow through the cover to the flame 199. Thepermeable cover 170 absorbs heat from the flame 199 and transfers theheat to the air 105 adjacent the base 196 of the flame. Because the air105 is warmer when it reaches the flame 199, combustion is moreefficient at the base 196 and interior of the flame 199. Further, thewarmer air 105 reduces the air pressure adjacent the base 196 of theflame 199. The reduced air pressure increases the flow of air 105 towardthe base 196 of the flame 199 to improve combustion, and lowers thelow-pressure locus of the flame to strengthen the flame. Further, thepermeable cover 170 captures unburned particles of fuel 103 that havedescended in the downward direction D and rapidly heats the unburnedparticles of fuel so that combustion occurs. Therefore, the permeablecover 170 reduces the unburned particles of fuel 103, and therefore thesmoke and fuel vapors, that escape the vicinity of the flame 199 withoutbeing burned.

The permeable cover 170 is positioned at the top 160 of the air channel106. In the illustrated embodiment, the permeable cover 170 is sized tospan the cross-sectional area 162 of the air channel 106 at the top 160of the air channel and to overlap the wick 104 adjacent the air channel.The permeable cover 170 rests on the wick 104 without being coupled tothe wick. In other embodiments, the permeable cover 170 can have otherconfigurations. For example, the permeable cover 170 may be relativelylarger or smaller, or may be affixed to the lamp 100. The permeablecover 170 serves the additional function of supporting the heatconductive rod 164. More specifically, the heat conductive rod 164 hangssuspended from the top 160 of the air channel 106 about the permeablecover 170.

Another means for controlling fuel 103 and air 105 in the vicinity ofthe flame 199 is a permeable collar 172. The permeable collar 172 isconfigured to substantially surround at least the base 196 of the flame199. In addition to being permeable by air 105 and fuel 103, thepermeable collar 172 is made from a heat conductive material, such as ametal mesh. The heat of the flame 199 increases the temperature of thepermeable collar 172 so that the permeable collar can warm the air 105and fuel 103 adjacent the flame 199. As explained above, increasing thetemperature of the air 105 encourages the movement of a controlledvolume of air around the flame 199, while increasing the temperature ofthe fuel 103 in the vicinity of the flame facilitates completecombustion. More specifically, the permeable collar 172 may captureparticles of fuel 103 that have escaped the vicinity of the flame 199.For example, the wind may push the fuel 103 away from the vicinity ofthe flame before the fuel is combusted. As another example, largeparticles of fuel 103 may be inadequately combusted, and may be movedaway from the flame 199 before the combustion process is complete. Insuch cases, the permeable collar 172 captures the escaping fuel 103 andrapidly heats the fuel, breaking the fuel into smaller particles andretaining the fuel in the vicinity of the flame 199, so that the fuelcatches fire for complete combustion.

Another means for controlling fuel 103 and air 105 in the vicinity ofthe flame 199 is a continuous collar 174. The continuous collar 174 isalso configured to substantially surround at least the base 196 of theflame 199, forming a shield to block the wind or other air disturbancesand to limit the escape of particles of fuel 103. In some embodiments,the continuous collar 174 may be formed from a heat conductive materialto further promote the flow of warm air 105 to the flame 199 and tofurther promote complete combustion at the base 196 of the flame, asdescribed above. The continuous collar 174 may also be formed from atranslucent material, so that the light generated by the flame 199 isvisible through the continuous collar. The continuous collar 174 is alsoconfigured to control the direction of outside air toward the flame, asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,901, entitled “Apparatus forControlling Characteristics of a Flame,” which issued on Feb. 1, 2005 tothe Applicant of the present disclosure and is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. The continuous collar 174 can be movedbetween a raised and lowered position to adjust the volume of air 105reaching the flame 199, and therefore the height of the flame. Thecontinuous collar 174 may have holes 175 formed through it, such thatair 105 can pass through the holes. The air passing through the holes175 is warmed by the continuous collar 174, and is further warmed by thepermeable collar 172, facilitating complete combustion and forming anair shield that protects the flame 199. In some embodiments, the holes175 are located at the bottom of the continuous collar 174, so that theair adjacent the bottom of the flame 199 is warmed, reducing heavycombustion gases that may otherwise stay at the bottom.

The continuous collar 174 and the permeable collar 172 areconcentrically disposed with respect to the air channel 106 and the wick104. In the illustrated embodiment, the permeable collar 172 is acylindrical ring formed from a metal mesh, and the continuous collar 174is also a cylindrical ring. The air channel 106 is substantiallysurrounded at the top 160 by the wick 104, which is substantiallysurrounded by the permeable collar 172, which is substantiallysurrounded by the continuous collar 174. Such a configuration enablesthe continuous collar 174 and the permeable collar 172 to be adjacentthe base 196 of the flame 199 so that the collars can perform theirintended functions while being spaced apart from the wick 104.Separating the collars 172, 174 from the wick 104 limits heat transferbetween the collars and the wick so that capillary action of the wick isnot increased. The separation also enables positioning the lip 144, anda series of drain and vent holes 176 formed through the lip, adjacentthe flame 199. The drain and vent holes 176 provide an avenue for largeparticles of un-combusted fuel 103 to return to the cavity 120 withinthe fuel reservoir 102. The drain and vent holes 176 also allow air toflow into the cavity 120 to replace the fuel 103 removed by the wick104, equalizing the pressure within the cavity so that a vacuum is notcreated. Because the drain and vent holes 176 are positioned adjacentthe flame 199, fuel vapors that escape from the drain and vent holes arebrought into the vicinity of the flame and are combusted instead ofescaping into the atmosphere, potentially creating a foul odor.Therefore, the drain and vent holes 176 are another means forcontrolling the flow of fuel 103 and air 105 in the vicinity of theflame 199.

The continuous collar 174 and the permeable collar 172 can be movedbetween a lowered position, in which the collars are lowered in thedownward direction D, and a raised position in which the collars areraised in the upward direction U. Moving the collars 172, 174 betweenthe lowered position and the raised position provides the lamp 100 withgreater flexibility of use. For example, the collars 172, 174 adjust thedirection of air supply to the flame 199, thereby affecting the heightof the flame, and may be raised in windy conditions and lowered in morestable air conditions, to selectively shield the flame 199 from wind andother air disturbances, and/or to limit the escape of particles of fuel103.

In the illustrated embodiment, both of the collars 172, 174 aresupported by the adjustable collar 178 and extend from the adjustablecollar 178 in the upward direction U. The continuous collar 174 iscoupled to the adjustable collar 178 and the permeable collar 172 restsagainst the continuous collar on the interior of the continuous collar.The continuous collar 174 and the permeable collar 172 can be movedbetween the raised and lowered positions by adjusting the adjustablecollar 178 with respect to the neck 140 using the adjustment mechanism142, as described above. In other embodiments, the continuous collar 174and the permeable collar 172 can be adjusted in other manners, or thecollars may not be adjustable.

In addition to supporting the continuous collar 174 and the permeablecollar 172 and enabling their adjustment, the adjustable collar 178 isalso a means for controlling fuel 103 and air 105 in the vicinity of theflame 199. The adjustable collar 178 is configured to shield the flame199 from the wind, and to enable a cushion of warm air to form aroundthe flame 199 that limits the impact of the wind on the flame.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable collar 178 issubstantially a circular plate having a flange 180 extending from anouter perimeter of the circular plate in the upward direction U. Theadjustable collar 178 is coupled to the neck 140 of the fuel reservoir102 such that the circular plate is substantially parallel to the upperwall 122d and the flange 180 extends away from the upper wall in theupward direction U. The flange 180 is configured to block the wind thatmay diminish or extinguish the flame 199.

Additionally, the adjustable collar 178 has openings 182 that areconfigured to assist with the formation of the air cushion around theflame 199. Because the air 105 located above the adjustable collar 178in the upward direction U is relatively warmer than the air locatedbelow the adjustable collar in the downward direction D, a pressuredifferential is created across the adjustable collar that drives the airthrough the openings 182 in the upward direction. This air 105 forms acushion around the flame 199 that lessens the impact of the wind. Asshown in the illustrated embodiment, the openings 182 may be graduatedor tapered such that the flow of air 105 through the openings issubstantially laminar. For example, the openings 182 may besubstantially conical in shape.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an elevating mechanism300 that is configured to elevate a lamp such as the lamp 100, and FIG.4 is a sectional view of the elevating mechanism 300 taken along lines4-4. The elevating mechanism 300 includes a casing 302. Although thecasing 302 can have any shape, in the illustrated embodiment the casingis substantially a cylinder. An interior of the casing 302 is shaped tomate with the lamp 100. More specifically, an inner diameter of thecasing 302 at a top 306 of the casing is greater than an outer diameterof the lamp 100, such that the lamp can be inserted into the top of thecasing.

The casing 302 includes a support mechanism 308 configured to supportthe lamp 100. As shown, the support mechanism 308 is a ledge spacedapart from the top 306 of the casing 302 in the downward direction D.When the lamp 100 is inserted into the casing 302, the lamp rests on theledge. Alternatively, the support mechanism 308 can be something otherthan the ledge.

The casing 302 also includes air entrances 312 positioned at a bottom307 of the casing that are in fluid communication with the air channel106 of the lamp 100. Air 105 that flows through the air entrances 312 isdirected into the air channel 106 of the lamp 100 to feed the flame 199.

The elevating mechanism 300 also includes a stake 314 that elevates thecasing 302. The stake 314 is an elongated rod that is configured tosupport the casing 302 and the lamp 100 when a lower end 313 of thestake is inserted into the ground. The stake 314 may be coupled to thecasing 302 in any manner. For example, the casing 302 may have acoupling 316 that is configured to engage the stake 314. In theillustrated embodiment, the coupling 316 is a cylindrical ring havingthreads on an interior surface that are configured to engage threads onan upper end 315 of the stake 314. In other embodiments, the stake 314and the coupling 316 may have other configurations. Alternatively, thecoupling 316 may be omitted, and the stake 314 may be permanentlycoupled to the casing 302.

In some embodiments, the elevating mechanism 300 includes an air entrychannel 318 that is in substantially seamlessly fluid communication withthe air channel 106 of the lamp 100. In such embodiments, the elevatingmechanism 300 is another means for controlling fuel 103 and air 105 inthe vicinity of the flame 199. However, the air entry channel 318 is notnecessary and can be omitted.

The air entry channel 318 is substantially a truncated cone defined byan exterior wall 320 and an interior wall 322. The air entrances 312 areformed in the interior wall 322 and are in fluid communication with theair entry channel 318, which in turn is in fluid communication with theair channel 106 of the lamp 100. As a result, air 105 that flows throughthe air entrances 312 is directed through the air entry channel 318 andinto the air channel 106 of the lamp 100. The air entrances 312 are notdirectly exposed to the wind, so that during windy conditions, turbulentair is not directed into the air entry channel 318.

The air entry channel 318 may be at least partially graduated so thatthe flow of air 105 through the air entry channel is substantiallylaminar. The exterior wall 320 and the interior wall 322 may besubstantially free from rough corners and sharp edges. For example, theexterior wall 320 and the interior wall 322 may gradually taper inward.In the illustrated embodiment, both the exterior wall 320 and theinterior wall 322 are curved such that the air entry channel 318 is acurved conical shape, with a width 324 of the air entry channel 318gradually decreasing from the bottom 307 of the casing 302 in the upwarddirection U. In other embodiments, other configurations are possible.

The shape of the air entry channel 318 encourages the laminar flow ofair 105 through the air entry channel and into the air channel 106 ofthe lamp 100. Turbulence is also reduced by placing the air entrances312 on the bottom 307 of the casing 302 along the interior wall 322. Incases in which the width 324 of the air entry channel 318 graduallydecreases from the bottom 307 of the casing 302 in the upward directionU, the velocity of air 105 traveling through the air entry channel maybe increased. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the width 324 aof the air channel 106 at the top 306 of the casing 302 is less than thewidth 324 b of the air channel at the bottom 307 of the casing.

In the illustrated embodiment, the interior of the casing 302 is shapedto form the exterior wall 320 of the air entry channel 318 and theledge. The interior of the casing 302 curves inward from the bottom 307of the casing 302 in the upward direction U, and at a point between thetop 306 and the bottom 307, the inward curve abruptly ends. At thispoint, the ledge is formed. The interior wall 322 is coupled to thecasing 302 at the bottom 307 of the casing and diverges inward so thatthe interior wall is spaced apart from the exterior wall 320. Theinterior wall 322 is substantially a cone having an apex 326 thatextends into the air channel 106 of the lamp 100. The coupling 316 iscoupled to the interior wall 322 adjacent the apex 326 on an exterior ofthe casing 302, so that the coupling is centrally positioned. However,in other embodiments other configurations are possible.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a smoke-encapsulatingapparatus 500 that can be coupled to a lamp such as the lamp 100, andFIG. 6 is a sectional view of the smoke-encapsulating apparatus of FIG.5, taken along line 66. The smoke-encapsulating apparatus 500 includes ahousing 502 that is configured to substantially enclose a volume ofsmoke 504. For this reason, the housing 502 is substantially enclosedexcept for an entry port 506 and an exit port 508. In the illustratedembodiment, the housing 502 is substantially box-shaped, although otherconfigurations are possible.

The entry port 506 is an opening formed in the housing 502 that isconfigured to receive a smoke-producing device 510, such as a cigaretteor a cigar. The smoke-producing device 510 can be placed through theentry port 506 such that a burning end 512 of the smoke-producing deviceis positioned within an interior of the housing 502 while a non-burningend 518 of the smoke-producing device is positioned on an exterior ofthe housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the entry port 506 issubstantially a circular opening formed in a side 520 of the housing502, although other configurations are possible. For example, the entryport 506 may be circular or rectangular. The entry port 506 may also besubstantially uniform in diameter to hold the smoke-producing device 510horizontally, except at a rim 522 where the entry port 506 is rounded ortapered. An interior surface of the rim 522 may be inwardly tapered todirect the smoke 504 into the housing 502. In embodiments not shown, thehousing 502 may have a plurality of entry ports 506 such that thesmoke-encapsulating apparatus 500 can be used with a plurality ofsmoke-producing devices 510 simultaneously.

The exit port 508 is configured to communicate smoke 504 from thehousing 502 to the lamp 100. The lamp 100 can be placed on thesmoke-encapsulating apparatus 500 such that the exit port 508 is influid communication with the air channel 106 of the lamp 100. The smoke504 is then directed into the air channel 106 and is burned as fuel 103by the flame 199. In the illustrated embodiment, the exit port 508 issubstantially a circular opening formed in a top 526 of the housing 502,although other configurations are possible. In some embodiments, theexit port 508 may have a shape that matches the cross-sectional area 162of the air channel 106 at the bottom 158 of the air channel. Someembodiments may also be configured such that the lamp 100 can be coupledto the smoke-encapsulating apparatus 500 instead of resting on thesmoke-encapsulating apparatus.

In some embodiments, the smoke-encapsulating apparatus 500 is configuredto direct smoke 504 from the entry port 506 to the exit port 508. Forexample, the illustrated embodiment includes an exit tube 528 thatextends from the exit port 508 in the downward direction D. The exittube 528 is configured to direct smoke 504 to the exit port 508 so thatthe smoke is communicated into the air channel 106 of the lamp 100. Insome embodiments, the exit tube 528 has a cross-sectional area 530 thatis relatively larger at a bottom than at a top of the exit tube. Thecross-sectional area 530 may gradually decrease in the upward directionU so that the smoke 504 is drawn along the exit tube 508 in the upwarddirection U. The larger and heavier particles of smoke 504 that may beinclined to stay at the bottom of the housing may be directed up theexit tube 528 to the exit port 508. However, the exit tube 528 is notnecessary and can be omitted. The housing 502 may also be contoured onthe interior of the housing to direct the smoke 504 toward the exit port508.

The smoke-encapsulating apparatus 500 is useful for capturingsecond-hand smoke 504 and providing the second-hand smoke to the lamp100, which combusts the smoke. Generally, the smoke-producing device 510produces relatively larger particles of smoke 504 during puffing andproduces relatively smaller particles of smoke when idle. The largerparticles of smoke 504 can be filtered from the air using an air filter,while the smaller particles of smoke pass through the air filter withoutbeing captured. Therefore, the smoke-encapsulating apparatus 500 isconfigured to capture the smoke 504 created when the smoke-producingdevice 510 is idle. The smoke 504 can be combusted by the lamp 100 toproduce the flame 199, including smaller particles of smoke thatotherwise would not be filtered out of the air.

In some embodiments, the lamp 100 may include more than one hollow wick104. For example, the lamp 100 may include two hollow wicks 104 that areconcentrically disposed, as described in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,510entitled “Apparatus and Methods for Controlling a Flame”, which issuedon May 24, 2005 to the Applicant of the present disclosure, and which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In such an embodiment,each of the wicks 104 produces a distinct and separate flame. It may bedesirable to use a lamp 100 that includes more than one hollow wick 104in combination with the smoke-encapsulating apparatus 500, because sucha lamp creates a relatively larger flame and therefore is configured toeliminate a relatively larger volume of smoke 504. However, using such alamp 100 is not necessary, in which case a lamp having a single hollowwick 104 can be employed.

While particular embodiments of the lamp have been disclosed in detailin the foregoing description and figures for purposes of example, thoseskilled in the art will understand that variations and modifications maybe made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. All suchvariations and modifications are intended to be included within thescope of the present disclosure, as protected by the following claims.

1. A lamp comprising: a fuel reservoir configured to hold a volume offuel; a hollow wick configured to wick the fuel from the fuel reservoirto the atmosphere such that a flame is produced when the wick isignited; and an air channel configured to supply air from outside of thefuel reservoir to a base of the flame, the air channel extending throughthe hollow wick and being at least partially graduated so that the flowof air through the air channel is substantially laminar.
 2. The lamp ofclaim 1, wherein the air channel has an inward taper between a bottom ofthe air channel and a top of the air channel.
 3. The lamp of claim 1,wherein the air channel continuously curves between a bottom of the airchannel, where a wall of the air channel is substantially horizontal,and a top of the air channel, where the wall of the air channel issubstantially vertical.
 4. The lamp of claim 1, further comprising aheat conductive rod extending downward from a top of the air channel,wherein the heat conductive rod is configured to increase thetemperature of and lower the air pressure of the air at the top of theair channel.
 5. The lamp of claim 1, further comprising a heatconductive tube lining at least a portion of the air channel at a top ofthe air channel, wherein the heat conductive tube is configured toincrease the temperature of and lower the air pressure of the air at thetop of the air channel.
 6. The lamp of claim 5, further comprising alayer of insulation between the air channel and the heat conductivetube.
 7. The lamp of claim 1, further comprising a permeable collar thatsubstantially surrounds at least a base of the flame, and a continuouscollar that substantially surrounds the permeable collar, wherein thepermeable collar is configured to warm air and capture and warmparticles of fuel and the continuous collar is configured to block thewind.
 8. The lamp of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable collarhaving a flange extending upward from the adjustable collar and openingsformed through the adjustable collar, wherein the flange is configuredto block the wind and the openings are configured to enable a controlledflow of air around the flame.
 9. The lamp of claim 1, further comprisinga permeable cover adjacent a base of the flame, wherein the permeablecover is configured to increase the temperature of air and unburnedparticles of fuel flowing through the cover.
 10. The lamp of claim 1,further comprising a series of drain and vent holes adjacent the wick,wherein the drain and vent holes are configured to provide an avenue forair and fuel to enter the fuel reservoir.
 11. The lamp of claim 1,further comprising an elevating mechanism coupled to the lamp, theelevating mechanism including a stake that is configured to support andto elevate the lamp off the ground, and an air entry channel configuredto encourage the laminar flow of air into the lamp.
 12. The lamp ofclaim 1, further comprising a smoke-encapsulating apparatus coupled tothe lamp, wherein the smoke-encapsulating apparatus is configured tocapture smoke produced by a smoke-producing device and to direct thesmoke into the air channel of the lamp so that the smoke can becombusted by the flame.
 13. A lamp comprising: a fuel reservoirconfigured to hold a volume of fuel; a hollow wick configured to wickthe fuel from the fuel reservoir to the atmosphere, such that a flame isproduced when the wick is ignited; and means for controlling fuel andair in the vicinity of the flame, such that an adequate supply of fueland air is available for combustion and the wind does not diminish orextinguish the flame.
 14. The lamp of claim 13, wherein the means forcontrolling air and fuel in the vicinity of the flame comprises an airchannel that extends through the hollow wick, the air channel having aninward taper and being substantially free from sharp angles and roughedges.
 15. The lamp of claim 14, wherein the means for controlling airand fuel further comprises a heat conductive element that is at leastone of a heat conductive rod, a heat conductive tube, or a permeablecover.
 16. The lamp of claim 13, wherein the means for controlling airand fuel comprises at least one of an adjustable collar, a continuouscollar, or a permeable collar.
 17. The lamp of claim 13, wherein themeans for controlling air and fuel comprises an elevating mechanismcoupled to the lamp, the elevating mechanism including a stake that isconfigured to support and to elevate the lamp off the ground, and an airentry channel configured to encourage the laminar flow of air into thelamp.
 18. The lamp of claim 13, further comprising a smoke-encapsulatingapparatus coupled to the lamp, wherein the smoke-encapsulating apparatusis configured to capture smoke produced by a smoke-producing device andto direct the smoke into the air channel of the lamp so that the smokecan be combusted by the flame.
 19. The lamp of claim 18, wherein thesmoke-encapsulating apparatus includes an entry port configured toreceive the smoke-producing device and an exit port that is in fluidcommunication with the air channel of the lamp.
 20. The lamp of claim19, further comprising an exit tube that is configured to direct smokefrom the smoke-producing device to the exit port.